In 2017, the United States built about 28.5GW of electricity generating infrastructure – 25GW of it utility-scale and about 3.5GW of distributed (<1MW) solar power. Wind and solar were 55.4% of the 28.5GW overall total, and about 49.2% of the utility-scale total (>1MW).

When subtracting the 11.8GW of utility-scale fossil retirements tracked by the EIA, the net new volume of US generation was 16.7GW of generating capacity, with 94.7% of that coming from renewables.

Specifically focused on utility-scale new generating capacity – renewables totaled 12,321MW of 25,041MW of that new capacity. 6,759MW of the renewables being wind and 5,170MWAC of that solar, with 392MW of ‘other renewables.’ Those totals made renewables 49.2% of new utility-scale electricity generating capacity.

In 2016, an amazing year for clean energy construction in the country, the US installed about 27GW of utility-scale capacity. 62% of that was renewables – 16.7GW. 7.8GW from wind and 7.7GW of solar power were built. The utility-scale renewable volume in 2016 was 35% higher than in 2017. 2016 was a record year for utility-scale solar power installations.

For the month of March, 21% of utility-scale electricity came from renewables. A heavy snow pack melting on the west coast driving hydroelectricity, plus an annual wind production peak in March led this value.

In the same month, wind plus solar electricity – for the first time – broke 10% of US electricity usage.

When the eclipse hit on August 21st, California solar power output fell by 60% from its normal production.

Of importance – these are total “capacities” built – not electricity generation. Solar and wind are run for much less per year than new gas plants. For example, the average solar “capacity factor” – % of time running – for new solar power is probably around 20-25%, wind probably around 40-43% and gas 55-60%.

Electrek’s Take

First off, this report isn’t perfect – solar power and wind are both down from their 2016 numbers. 2016 saw approximately 14.5GWDC of solar power installed. In 2017 – with residential and utility-scale down, we’ll probably see the US break 11GW of solar power – but not much further.

On the other hand, when accounting for hardware dying off (mostly coal) – the USA hasn’t really built new fossil fuels since really close to the turn of the millennia. We’re down another 1% in 2017 emissions – from a 13% drop between 2015-2016 – so some progress made. We’re still adding a lot of CO2 to the atmosphere though…so its kinda like destroying our home 1% less than the immense amount of destruction last year.